Bostons House of Blues is by far my favorite venue. This, my second trip, sealed the deal. An awesome clean club with some fantastic staff. Clear paths, great line of vision, just a great vibe all around. The human inhabitants not so much, but the establishment. Fantastic.
Due to some horrid toll traffic I did miss all but the last 2 songs of the opening act. They were from NY. The lead singer had a beautiful voice. Preceding their last song this gentleman stepped up to thank us for listening, asked if we knew who they were, and then mentioned how they played NY. Yet never said their name. I’d google it, the name escapes me at the moment but apparently it escaped him too, cuz he never said the band name.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus should be renamed ‘any band’. Cuz they have no distinction other than the bad sense of humour. They’re from Florida, know how I know that? Cuz they said it 6 times in a half hour set. I felt embarrassed for the Bostininians’ as he called them. The set was bland, the stage presence was scarce, the snappy commentary a bore.
Blue October
I actually purged myself of sappy sentiment as best I could last night. OK OK, I love the band, hes gorgeous and this assembled group of men literally touch my soul. What the hell do you care about that?
What you should care about is the quality of music. Last nights set list zig zagged from ‘History for Sale’, to ‘Foiled’, to Approaching Normal’ to the first song written by the front man at age 15.
There is a dynamic in this group, the band certainly doesn’t have stage presence, but they have a solid wall of sound that’s seamless and strong. Supporting Justins words like a velvet wall. Offering him a safe place to cower when the emotion gets to strong.
The show was not a Blue October show, Furstenfeld stated it was an awareness tour to raise funds for the Pick up The Phone initiative. Between songs discussing his own demons and battles. The songs chosen represent his 34 year journey with mental illness. Brave in his declaration of being a Paxil user since age 14, imploring the crowd to learn to communicate. The band performe “HRSA”, “Razorblade” (which was KILLER and the first time I had heard it live)and “Into the Ocean”, songs of suicide from the first person perspective. There were times when Justin would stop singing and speak the words, as if he were telling us his story. It worked, it was chilling.
But this wasn’t a sob pit self depreciating journey. The band gets pissed they get strong and in “Dirt Room” and “Say It”, there was no pathetic emo. There was a man who can pop those hips like a stripper (but cant dance for squat). A showman, a man.
Musically sound, the crowd rude and in there own beer world there were those who allowed themselves to connect with the mission on the stage. It took me 4 location switches to find it but in the end there was the view and the crowd who actually came to see Blue October.
Throughout the show Justin thanked the crowd for helping him feel worthy, for helping heal his heart, for being his only friends, the love was reciprocated. You cant help but feel the struggle he endures.
At the shows end after an breathtaking rendition of “Should Be Loved” Furstenfeld screamed veins bulging and drenched in sweat thanking the crowd. “Thank you, this is all I have.”, “I don’t know how to do anything else this is all I can do” “This is it, all I have, thank you” ” I don’t know how to do anything else”
A cry out or an affirmation, what he (and his supporting band) have is my loyalty, my respect and my hopes to see them again very soon.